Jack, born in Southern California, grew up camping, surfing, and fishing. After high school, he moved to Colorado and graduated from the University of Colorado in Boulder with a degree in Environmental Science. Jack then guided fly fishing in Argentina and spent the next five years guiding in Uruguay, Alaska, Mexico, and Wyoming, often over 300 days a year. He has guided for trout in Patagonia, Golden Dorado in the jungle, and striped marlin in Baja. Recently, Jack stepped away from guiding, grateful for his experiences and passionate about travel, fly fishing, and adventure. He enjoys helping others experience what he loves.
What is your favorite species (or hatch) to fish for and where?
Golden Dorado because they’re aggressive, challenging, engaging, and the way they take the fly is unlike any other species. They jump, they pull like crazy, and they live in tropical jungle environments, which are always cool to visit.
Favorite Rod/Reel combo and why?
The Winston Air 2 Max and the Nautilus CCF-X2. I love that Winstons are made in Twin Bridges, Montana. The Air 2 Max is a lightweight fast action rod, but it still has a lot of feel with plenty of power in the bottom third of the blank. This rod can handle big jungle flies, and is very accurate in all applications.
Favorite Fly Line(s)?
I prefer to use Scientific Anglers. For peacock bass and golden dorado, I use the Grand Slam because it is slightly over weighted, but it has a long taper that can turn over large flies while still maintaining accuracy at distance.
For Montana trout fishing, I like the Scientific Anglers MPX for a similar reason. In Montana, you’re fishing a lot of big flies like streamers, foam flies, and dry droppers. The MPX is built a half size heavier, which helps turn over those larger rigs. It can also slow down some of those faster rods on the market today.
Top Flies?
That's a tough question, but I will give you my top flies for a few different species.
- Peacock Bass: Jungle Junkie
- Golden Dorado in Bolivia: Umpqua Cruiser Sardina
- Montana Trout: Thunder Thighs Hopper
Preferred Waders and Boots?
I like the Patagonia Swiftcurrent Expedition Waders. For boots, I like the Patagonia Forra Wading Boots.
What do you use for leader and tippet and why does it work well for you?
In jungle applications, I use either 40 or 50 pound Scientific Anglers fluorocarbon tippet. I’ve never really had tippet failures at that weight class for golden dorado or peacock bass. Also, for toothy species, I really like the Rio Wire Bite tippet. It's easy to tie knots with, it's strong, and it has a relatively thin diameter. I think it’s the best wire on the market.
For Montana trout, I use fluorocarbon most of the time, if not all the time. And I usually fish with 3X leaders.
Favorite Luggage and Pack System?
The bag I take on every trip, no matter what, is the Patagonia Guidewater waterproof backpack. I like that it's fully waterproof and submersible. It's a good size. Not too big, not too small. It's big enough to take everything you need for the day. Even in transit, it can hold a laptop and everything you need while you're on the plane but once you get on-site, you can shift things around and you've got a bulletproof backpack that you never have to think about. It can be sitting in water on the bottom of a boat, and you know your gear is going to be dry. The Dakota Fishpond Carry-On Rod Case is another thing that I take on 90% of trips. It's a great carry-on and it also fits inside of most larger duffel bags.
Favorite Accessories or Must-Have Pieces of Gear?
A good pair of sunglasses (including an extra pair) and line cleaner. I bring line cleaner on every trip. You may not use it all the time, but anything can happen on these trips. In the jungle, for example, your line can get caked with mud and it simply won’t cast correctly if it’s dirty. I like the Rio Fly Line Cleaning Towelettes for a quick treatment that can make your line as good as new.
If you were forced to incorporate one piece of tying material into all of your flies, what would it be and why?
Grizzly hackle because of its versatility.
What is the go-to hook for pursuing (X)?
For jungle species, I like the Tiemco 600SP. It is a very sharp, thick gauge hook which is important for targeting strong fish like peacock bass and golden dorado. Those fish pull so hard that they will straighten low quality hooks.
What would your next purchase be on the Yellow Dog site?
Some flies for this weekend.
What are your favorite destinations you've traveled to and why?
Bolivia is an easy choice. It's a unique off-grid experience in a remote part of the world that most people never get the chance to visit. Sight fishing for dorado in crystal-clear rivers is an amazing experience that is challenging but also rewarding. The cultural experience is also very special. You're with the natives who put you on the fish and move you around the rivers in dugout canoes. It's just an otherworldly experience. But anything in the jungle, I'm in for.
What's on your bucket list?
Cuba. Everyone I talk to that has been there has great things to say about it. I would love to see Havana specifically, along with the seemingly untouched flats that Cuba has to offer.
What lodges do you really want to visit outside of your territory?
Faraway Cayes in Honduras and St. Brandons Atoll. They're hard to get to and fishing-focused. They also offer challenging species that are rewarding.
Which destinations would you want to travel to from a cultural perspective?
I love Latin America. I speak Spanish and I've spent a lot of my life in Latin America, from guiding to owning businesses. I just can't get enough of it. But beyond that, Bhutan is a destination that stands out. I am just interested in places that are culturally unique.
